China's Suning Starts Music Retailer

Suning Appliance Co. Ltd. (Nanjing, China) has opened the first of 10 planned Music Box stores, according to the China Chain Store & Franchise Association. The chain’s inaugural locale, in Shanghai, sells musical instruments, including Yamaha, Roland and other 150 brands.

Ling Guosheng, a Suning Appliance vp, said the Music Box locales will serves as the foundation for the rollout of several other new business formats, including locales selling Japanese animation games, toys, models, 3C appliance peripheral accessory products. In addition to the 10 Music Box stores planned by Suning by 2013, the company also plans to open 100 “Japanese fashion” stores and animation shops in major cities across China, the association reports.